SUCCESS

Time for an update!  :)  I had two shirts to get ready for a silent auction today.  I finished one shirt on Tuesday.  It was a very long stressful day, with lots of bumps.  I decided to re-draw the design for my second shirt because I did not like the angle of the dog.  Drawing my own designs is definitely one of my biggest challenges.  After a couple days of trying to get it right, I decided to scrap that one for the moment and go with another design.

I am beginning to realize that things do not always go as planned.  :)  My printer was a pain in the butt when it came time to print my transparencies.  It took me an hour just to print five of them. Yikes!  The biggest problem was getting them to load into the printer.  My Lexmark printer didn't like the transparencies for some reason.  I will be SO happy when I can purchase an EPSON 1400 Blackmax.  I need to sell quite a few shirts before I can buy it.  :)

I also can not wait to buy the UV exposure unit.  I do not think my screens are exposing evenly. When it is time to wash out the screen, I have a few spots that give me trouble.  There ends up being a little haze of emulsion still on the screen.  I am not sure if that is normal or not.  I will have to research it more.  My images are turning out fine but I think there will be a problem when the designs become more detailed.  It is just better to always have the best tool for the job at hand.  My list of things to buy continues to grow!

I did not really have any issues when it came time to print.  I printed bigger registration marks on the films (transparencies) which made lining up the screens very easy.  Burning the images in the same spot on every screen did lead to a little problem.  I had issues lining up my logo on the back of the shirt.  I needed to burn the logo closer to the top of the screen.  You only have so much room to maneuver the shirt, screen and platen (this is what the shirt sits on).  Always take into consideration where your image will be printed.before you burn your screen.  Every day is a learning experience. :)

I also printed a tote bag.  It was a challenge because I do not have a platen small enough for the bag to slip over.  I inserted a piece of cardboard into the bag to help level it out.  It worked but I will definitely be buying a smaller platen or making one myself.  I will post pictures later this week.

Tomorrow I am working on my first custom order.  I hope my printer decides to behave.  I need to print two transparencies.  I will let you know how it turns out.

Jeanette